Jacqueline

Emma, I saw that same program. I think it was in 2014 when I came to see a friend's daughter in the SAB Workshop. I agree...that was a great mix.

I will be in NY from Texas celebrating my birthday the week of May 15. I don't often get to see NYCB, but this program just did not appeal to me. Maybe I am just old fashioned, closed-minded, whatever, but I will be spending my money on Broadway since there is no Balanchine.

Agree about Ashley Laracey. She is so lovely. But congratulations to all...well deserved, and what an exciting day! The talent is so deep that it seems impossible to promote all who deserve it. And I think that may have been the case in the past as well. There were "principal dancers" in the past who weren't officially principals. Colleen Neary comes to mind...

Canbelto, I'm with you. When my daughter was dancing Dewdrop a few years ago in Yvonne Mounsey's (early NCYB principal who originated "Spanish") "Nuts" at Westside Ballet in Los Angeles, her boyfriend's much younger little sister -- then three -- was in attendance. Besides loudly "saying" my daughter's name (understandable, but at least she did it only once), and asking questions, this very young girl sat in rapt attention for the entire two acts on the edge of her mother's lap. Her wonder and enthusiasm could not be contained. I will never forget how huge her eyes were.

Totally a mish-mash. Only the pas de deux is Balanchine, as far as I can see.

Thank you, Canbelto, for the lovely review and for being the eyes and ears for those of us too far away to attend. Yesterday, I did have the privilege of seeing Tiler Peck and Tyler Angle as Sugarplum and Cavalier, performing with a regional youth company here in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. They were glorious. He was such a finely attuned partner and I enjoyed his endearing facial expressions as much as I did his dancing, which is saying a lot. Tiler, of course, makes us "see the music and hear the dance" with every step and her ability to play with the music (even recorded music, as was the case) and push its limits is enchanting. As a couple, I found them supremely secure, regal yet warm (benevolent, not haughty) and very engaging. Now, if I could just see Tiler's Dewdrop...

Agree, vagansmom. I long for the return of the original "Who Cares?" costumes.

Froman twins

Sara Mearns also referred to a "tough day at NYCB" after last night's DAAG on her Instagram. I assumed that meant injuries, leading to the casting shuffling. Hope all is minor, and well.

Merci, Mussel! Being able to see this program soothes my daughter and me a great deal. We had flown to NY from California and Texas respectively to see the January 23rd performance of Walpurgisnacht, Sonatine, Mozartiana and Symphony in C that got snowed out thanks to Jonas. We were already at the theater checking our coats when the cancellation was announced. That would have been a dream program for us. I'll think again before I plan any future January trips to NYC! We got marooned in NY and thus got to see the next day's performance (Barber, Fancy Free and Who Cares) but we've still never let go of missing Walpurgisnacht (especially with Sara Mearns cast) and Symphony in C. (And Mozartiana.)

Vipa, I was supposed to go to the January 23rd event. My daughter and I had flown in from California and Texas respectively and boy, were we disappointed that the snowstorm necessitated canceling this plus the regular performances that day. Glad to hear it went forward today and thanks for letting us know how it was. Wish we'd been there!

Thank you, all! I feel uneducated (even though I am the mother of a former very serious ballet student who studied under Yvonne Mounsey and Colleen Neary) and unqualified to post myself, but your writings are very interesting and thought-provoking for me. Please keep them coming. Also, those from out of town like me who are not able to get to performances very often hang on your every word. P.S. Still nursing my "wounds" from January 23rd -- the day of the great snowstorm. My daughter flew in from California and I flew in from Texas for that particular program which was our dream program. Our tickets had been taken and we were handing over our coats as the announcement came down.

I don't know if Elisabeth Moss ever attended SAB, but she did study at Westside Ballet in Santa Monica, California under the late great Yvonne Mounsey. I remember seeing her as a lovely first act "Giselle" and later as "Fairy of the Woodland Glade" in Sleeping Beauty at school performances there. That was about in 1996 and 1997.

I was at the Saturday night performance and pretty much agree with the postings here...but disclaimer, I am not an expert -- far from it. Beautiful rendition of "Serenade." Also, I thought Alastair Macauley's description of Lyrica Blankfein as "audacious and authoritative" was spot on.

Wow, I'm so glad someone (Dulcinea) mentioned Sascha Radestsky. Thanks, Dulcinea. I second that. I would also like to nominate Casey Herd. Now, if I could just get to Amsterdam I could see them both!

From the company (moderators please move if I have posted in the wrong place!) Dear Patrons and Friends, Los Angeles Ballet would like to share some very exciting news! LAB has been invited to appear on FOX’s hit reality series So You Think You Can Dance! Company members Aubrey Morgan and permanent guest artist Eddy Tovar (courtesy of Orlando Ballet) will perform the touching pas de deux The Man I Love from George Balanchine’s ever popular ballet “WHO CARES?” The episode airs on FOX this Thursday, July 24th at 9:00pm EST and PST. So You Think You Can Dance captivates nearly 19 million viewers worldwide each week – this appearance will showcase Los Angeles Ballet to the nation and the world! Share the news with your friends and family, and tune in! LAB would also like to use this occasion to thank all of you for your support over the last two seasons! It’s the generosity of our patrons and friends that has made an opportunity like this possible! With Gratitude, Your Los Angeles Ballet http://www.losangelesballet.org http://www.fox.com/dance

Well, I for one am bummed -- not about the casting, but about a business trip to NY from LA that got cancelled last minute due to the high cost of travel. I thought I was going to get to see the Tues. June 24th performance with the Prodigal you mention, as well as Brahms-Schoenberg with our homegrown talent, Andrew Veyette. So as usual I will have to enjoy it all vicariously through all of you -- thanks in advance for your reports!

Scherzo, I don't know of any professional ballets made to this music, but with my limited knowledge agree with you that it is a fantastic ballet score. When I was studying ballet myself (in high school ) my teacher made a ballet that combined parts of "Petite Suite" and Prokofiev's "Stoneflower Suite" -- go figure. I constantly bore and annoy my children (dancers far more advanced than I ever got to be) with tales of what it was like to dance to that music.

Did anyone attend the student showcase this week?

Where is Kylee Kitchens? Is she injured? I certainly hope not.

Russian girl in Serenade Fascinatin' Rhythm solo in Who Cares Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux

Thank you all for these wonderful reports. Did anyone see Andrew Veyette's debut as Cavalier? It would be nice for us folks back home in Southern California who remember him dancing here with his brothers to know how it went! Jacqueline

If Coco Chanel (and Karl Lagerfeld) had a ballet company, a common theme and look would run through pieces created over the years, and yet each piece would seem fresh, original and of its moment. Every step would drip with elegance and glamour, but never cross over the lines of taste.

dirac, I second that and remember fondly when he came to my hometown of Fort Worth Texas (in the seventies????) and electrified us all. Saw him a few times after that in NYC. I can only imagine what an unbelievable teacher and company leader he is, and send my wishes that he will be back in those roles very soon.

Well, not to veer too far off topic, but the Times has MANY interesting practices in terms of their wedding announcements. I have always been taken aback by the way they insist on publishing the bride and or groom's previous marital history, if any -- e.g. "the bride's previous marriage ended in divorce." Really, who cares and what does that have to do with the new and joyous occasion?